Looking for fun wedding transportation ideas for your big day? The logistics of getting to and from your wedding venue (and in some cases, a separate reception site, as well) are something everyone will have to figure out. It might be easiest to assume everyone will just drive themselves, but in many situations, that may not be the best (or safest!) plan. Which is why it's a very smart and thoughtful idea to make room in your wedding budget for transportation for yourself and your guests. Depending on your preferences and budget, there are many different options to consider. Get inspired with these wedding transportation ideas for the bride and groom, as well as our top tips for getting your guests around!
1. Limousine
Timeless and elegant, a limousine is the traditional choice of wedding transportation. Make it a stretch limousine if you want your bridal party to jump in with you!
2. Antique Car
Ever dreamed of taking an antique car for a spin? Your wedding is the perfect occasion to rent a classic car.
3. Vintage Truck
Vintage trucks are perfect for country weddings. When the trucks are done up with flowers and garlands, you've got the epitome of country romance.
4. Horse and Carriage
You'll feel like Cinderella as you ride along with your very own Prince Charming. Best of all, the fairy tale won't end at midnight!
5. Tandem Bicycle
Add a little hipster flair to your wedding with a bicycle built for the two that just said "I do."
6. Vespa
Hop on and hang onto your hubby! (This is probably better for brides sporting dresses that aren't floor-length.)
7. Golf Cart
A golf cart comes is handy if your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, but a bit of a distance away. Make sure it's decorated for the big day!
8. Gondola
If you're having your wedding on or near water, you can channel Italian vibes by riding off with your new husband in a gondola.
9. Rowboat
Have a Notebook-inspired moment as your love rows you across a pond.
10. Sailboat
A step-up from a rowboat, you'll feel honemoon-ready boarding a sailboat (or for the most extravagant brides, you can upgrade to a yacht!)
11. Taxi
For a classic wedding in the city, a vintage checked taxi is totally on-theme.
12. Pedicab
For added entertainment, make the best man pull it!
13. Party Bus
For the bride and groom who want to ride along with the wedding party, nothing says "party" like party bus.
14. Trolley Car
This one's another great (and unexpected!) option for a bride and groom who want to ride with their besties.
15. Helicopter
For the ultimate exit, it really doesn't get more over-the-top than a helicopter. This one's perfect for the couple whose motto is "go big or go home."
Wedding Guest Transportation Ideas & Tips
Now that you've got your own ride squared away, let's move onto your friends and family. Providing transportation is a kind gesture that they'll definitely appreciate. Here are our five best tips for getting your guests to and from events smoothly!
1. Rent Vehicles that Hold More Guests
By renting vehicles that can hold 50 or more guests at a time, you'll limit how many trips they have to make, meaning everyone will get from the hotel to the ceremony or the ceremony to the reception in record time.
2. Plan Something for Guests to Do While They Wait
If you can't transport everyone all at once, make sure that there's something planned on either end of the trip. If guests are waiting at the church for the next bus to come by, offer coffee (or champagne!) and snacks. At the reception? Have cocktail hour begin as soon as the first wave arrives. Set out the guest book or have the photo booth attendant on-hand to get the festivities started.
3. Schedule Departures After Guests are No Longer Needed for Portraits
While you may want to be at the cocktail hour as quickly as possible, the in-between time is the perfect opportunity to snap family photos. Have your photographer organize a group picture with all of your guests, then dismiss anyone not related to either family (or in the wedding party) to hop on a bus. Then, whittle it down from the full family, grandparents and cousins included, to a smaller and smaller group until only you, your parents and siblings, and the wedding party are left. Speaking of your bride tribe, you might consider getting extra creative with their rides. Our fave wedding party transportation ideas include getting your bridesmaids and groomsmen their own limo bus, party bus or even re-purposed school bus!
4. Add Extra Travel Time to Everything
Add at least 20 extra minutes to your timeline to account for things like traffic or stragglers. You might only need 45 minutes to get all of your guests to your 4 p.m. ceremony, but scheduling the first shuttle to leave at 2:30 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. means everyone will be comfortably in their seats before you walk down the aisle. At the end of the night, set up the first shuttle to leave two to three hours before your reception ends, around when you expect dinner to be over. Older guests or guests with children will be happy to know they can head back to their hotel whenever they're ready.
5. Consider Making Extra Accommodations for Out-of-Towners
If you're hosting a destination wedding, or if your guest list includes many out-of-towners (read: car-less guests), consider providing them with a ride to and from their hotel in addition to transportation to and from the reception. That way, no one has to worry about navigating an unfamiliar city or choosing designated drivers. Some hotels offer shuttle bus service, so check with yours to see if they'll give you a good rate (sometimes, they'll even offer it for free!). Or, you could go the extra mile with something with character to match your wedding — like a double-decker bus for a city affair (complete with a tour guide pointing out the local sights!). At the very least, offer taxi information as an alternative means to get everyone back to their hotel rooms.
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